4/29/10

"From earliest times, the Waikato Valley near Orakei Korako was occupied by Maori of the Ngati Tahu sub-tribe Tuwharetoa.By the early 1800’s, the Maori population had congregated at Orakei Korako, attracted by the hot springs. “O” is the place of “rakei” adornment. “Korako” meaning white, describing the glittering (sinter) flat.A diary entry for the 11 March 1850 recorded that the Maoris lived in this spot “to spare their woman the trouble of procuring wood for fuel. They seldom light a fire; everything is cooked in the springs.” from:http://www.orakeikorako.co.nz/Presentation/PresentationPic1WideSwap.aspx?ID=7748

4/24/10

Part of of holiday was the exciting chance to pet a real, live lion cub at Paradise Valley Spring just outside of Rotorua.

There are wild deer that roam the countryside and this one was among the lucky ones that get fed by tourists.

This little wallaby seemed very content to take food pellets from our hands.

Some noisy ducks that begged for attention. And food.

There were hungry faces all along the pathway through the park.

I think this little guy was a bit shy.

It is very interesting that American Rainbow trout were introduced into the Rotorua area about 1913. In some places (like the place in the Waimangu Valley I mentioned in my other blog) the fish are of totally pure stock because there is no water flowing in or out. They like the warm waters near the thermal areas and are readily fed from passersby.